ness as a proof of my confidence, and of a friendship now of no recent date."

M. Lesseps answered, that he had conducted himself towards Messieurs d'Harcourt and de Rayneval in a manner conformable with the nature and terms of his instructions, and that he had not been able to follow the example and rules laid down by them, because they had failed of success at the Court of Gaeta, and because the event of the 30th of April, and the consequent resolution of the French Assembly, had obliged him to change his line of action; he had checked the impetuosity of the army, in order to prevent conflicts which would have been productive of greater profit to the enemies of France, abroad and at home, than to her own glory and influence over Italy. On the other hand, he had told Government the whole truth, and was waiting for orders. "I had not," he said, "as great a wish as General Oudinot feels to move the troops into Rome, because it appeared to me that it would be prudent to moderate the passions exasperated by the affair of the 30th of April, and because, in my opinion, it was perilous to run the risk of interfering in the administration of the State. I have not recognised the Roman Republic. I have not proposed very different terms from those which the proclamations issued by General Oudinot implied. I have had communications with the Government of Rome, because I was sent hither to negotiate with the authorities in Rome and with the people. have not provoked or defied the Powers who commenced war against Rome. I have obeyed the orders

I

of Government, which did not wish to make common cause either with the Neapolitans or the Austrians, who had interposed in the affair, and had taken up arms with different, if not contrary, intentions to ours. The Pope must comprehend that France alone can establish his temporal authority, by placing it on the basis of liberty and the consent of the people. His throne, raised upon corpses, would but slide down the slippery plane of revolutions."

M. Lesseps went on to confute the objections of M. de Rayneval by the same arguments which he had already addressed to his Government, and concluded by saying he would take upon himself the whole responsibility of what he had done; and as he had received news from Rome that the Assembly was inclined to come to terms, he had a conversation with General Oudinot, and tried to persuade him that, as the Austrians were advancing, and it was desirable to endeavour to bring the affair to a speedy conclusion, it would be well to make final proposals to the Roman Government. Accordingly, they agreed on the following

Declaration:

"The undersigned, Ferdinand de Lesseps, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the French Republic, on a mission at Rome:

"Considering that the advance of the Austrian troops into the Roman States changes the relative situation of the French army in Rome:

"Considering that the Austrians, advancing upon Rome, might render themselves masters of positions perilous to the French army:

"Considering that the prolongation of the present state of

inaction, to which the Commander-in-Chief, General Oudinot de Reggio, had consented, might cause injury to the French

army:

"Considering that no communication has been addressed to him since his last note to the Triumvirate, bearing date the 26th of this month :

"Invites the authorities and the Roman Constituent Assembly to declare themselves on the following Articles :"Art. I. The Romans request the protection of the French Republic.

"Art. II. France does not contest the right of the Roman population to pronounce freely on the form of government.

"Art. III. The French army shall be received by the Romans as a friendly army; it shall take up its quarters in situations which shall be deemed suitable, as much for the defence of the city as the health of the troops; it shall not interfere with the administration of the country.

"Art. IV. The French Republic guarantees the territories occupied by its troops from all foreign invasion.

"Finally, the undersigned, in concert with the Commanderin-Chief, Oudinot de Reggio, declares, that in case these Articles are not immediately accepted, he shall regard his mission as terminated, and the French army will reassume all its freedom of action.

"Given at the Head-quarters of the French Army, Villa Santucci, 29th May, 1849.

(Signed)
(Countersigned)

"FERDINAND DE LESSEPS. "OUDINOT DE REGGIO."

M. Le Duc, Secretary to M. Lesseps, was charged to convey this declaration to Rome, and to state that a period of twenty-four hours, which would terminate at midnight on the 30th, was granted, for the answer to be given.

The Triumvirs, who had sent Accursi again to Paris, to treat rather with their enemies than with the Go

vernment, having only so short a time to deliberate, considered the most prudent course they could pursue would be to gain time, and therefore to devise articles which should leave the way open for negotiations. Accordingly they proposed this scheme :

"Art. I. The Romans, confiding as fully as ever in the friendship and fraternal support of the French Republic, request the cessation of even the appearance of hostilities, and the re-establishment of those good offices and relations which ought to be the expression of that fraternal support.

“Art. II. The French army shall be regarded by the Romans as a friendly army, and shall be received as a friend. The army shall take up its quarters, in accordance with the wishes of the Roman Government, in situations which shall be deemed suitable, as much for the defence of the city as the health of the troops, and it shall not interfere with the administration of the country. Rome is sacred to its enemies as to its friends, and does not constitute any portion of the quarters which the French army will select. Its own brave population are its best defence.

"Art. III. The French Republic guarantees the territories occupied by its troops against all foreign invasion."

But whilst these schemes were on foot, General Le Vaillant arrived from Paris at the French camp, as the harbinger of impending orders for war; in consequence of which General Oudinot threw a bridge over the Tiber on the night of the 29-30th, posted an advanced guard at San Paolo, and moved his troops forward. Lesseps, on learning this, wrote to him and said, that if he began the assault without his consent, he must take upon himself all the responsibility of the consequences which might ensue, and reminded him that he could not act as he chose, until Government had given him

leave. But Oudinot directed the Generals and Commanding Officers to make preparations for an attack on the suburbs of Rome the following night.

M. Lesseps then informed him of the answer made by the Romans, and sent M. Espivent to him with the following note:

"As I left Paris under the impression caused by the affair of the 30th of April, and came here to treat with the people of Rome, I need not remind you that I have never wished or allowed my cause to be separated from that of my Government, and of the honourable head of the French army. I did not disguise from myself all the difficulties which I had to surmount, in order to succeed in persuading the Romans that the intentions of the Government of the Republic and of its General were identical, both before and after the 30th of April. I have this very day obtained the object I had in view.

"I am disposed to sign at once, with the exception of some modifications, principally in the 2nd article, the counter proposal sent by the Triumvirate, and therefore approved by the Constituent Roman Assembly, as well as by the Municipality. I am convinced that this act will assure French influence in Italy for ever, and will maintain the honour of our army and of our glorious flag.

As soon as he had read this note and the document which accompanied it, General Oudinot exclaimed: "I will never sign a page so shameful for France!" sent back both the note and the document to the Envoy, and invited him to attend a meeting of the Generals. M. Lesseps having joined it, and narrated exactly how affairs had progressed, saw sour faces, and heard soldierlike reproaches. "Wait, still wait!" cried some; "wait for the hot season and its fevers, which in a fortnight will mow down its victims in the camp! wait